KR20060026865A - 3-dimensional ultrasonographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A 3-dimensional ultrasonographic device includes a matrix sensor (9) having a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators formed independently from each other in a matrix state. According to a reflected echo of an ultrasonic wave obtained from the matrix sensor (9), 3D imaging data is generated and a display image is processed into a flat image. Moreover, the 3-dimensional ultrasonographic device realizes imaging of a defect (14) for quantitative and intuitional judgment by connecting a plurality of imaging data obtained while moving the matrix sensor (9), according to the position of the matrix sensor (9) as well as enables automatic judgment of inspection. Furthermore, it is possible to improve the image quality by imaging while masking the area other than the inspection range of the inspection object.

Description

3-D Ultrasonic Imaging Device {3-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASONOGRAPHIC DEVICE}

According to the present invention, three-dimensional (3D) visualization of a peeling state of a foreign material or a joint of a defect, void, oxide film, or the like in a structure to be inspected using ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by a plurality of planarly arranged piezoelectric vibrators It relates to a three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus.

There has been proposed an ultrasonic inspection apparatus using an ultrasonic transducer composed of piezoelectric vibrators formed independently of a plurality of matrix shapes (see Patent Document 1, for example). In the conventional ultrasonic inspection apparatus, it is possible to visualize defects, voids, or peelings in a layer structure having a plurality of different acoustic characteristics, or an inspection object whose surface is curved by ultrasonic waves, but visually judge the imaging results by ultrasonic waves. Because of this, automatic determination was difficult and it was difficult to grasp the positional relationship with the inspection object.

In such a conventional ultrasonic inspection apparatus, there are the following problems.

[1] Performing an internal inspection is performed by a person while observing an imaging result, so that objective and quantitative inspection is difficult.

[2] The brightness of the image changes due to the difference in the depth of the inspection object due to the influence of the surface reflection wave in the inspection object, the ultrasonic attenuation in the inspection object, and the like.

[3] Since the size of the ultrasonic transducer is limited, it is not possible to image a large area continuously.

[4] In the case where the unevenness is around the inspection range of the inspection object, the image quality of the internal image of the inspection object may be degraded by the ultrasonic waves reflected from the surrounding irregularities.

[5] No abnormality can be automatically determined from the defect position and shape information obtained from the three-dimensional imaging inside the inspection object.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-149213

An object of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional ultrasound imaging apparatus which is designed to solve such a problem and improves the accuracy of the internal inspection by ultrasonic waves, expands the inspection range, and enables automatic determination of the inspection. I am doing it.

The three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus of the present invention includes an ultrasonic transducer composed of a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators, a vibrator selecting portion for generating ultrasonic waves from any of the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators, and a piezoelectric selected by the vibrator selecting portion. A signal detecting circuit for selectively detecting electrical signals generated by the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators by receiving reflected echoes from an object to be inspected by ultrasonic waves generated by the vibrator, and electrical signals detected by the signal detecting circuit. A signal processing section for generating three-dimensional imaging data in correspondence with a mesh in a three-dimensional imaging area set inside the inspection object by means of an opening synthesis process; and a three-dimensional imaging generated by the signal processing section. The data of each mesh according to the value of the three-dimensional imaging data on the mesh in the three-dimensional imaging area. A function of changing luminance or transparency and multiplying the value of the 3D imaging data by a value set according to a 3D coordinate position (X, Y, Z) to eliminate unnecessary portions of the 3D imaging data. And a display processing unit having a function of masking or correcting image brightness.

In the present invention, it is possible to provide a three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus which improves the accuracy of the internal inspection by ultrasonic waves, expands the inspection range, and enables automatic determination of the inspection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows the overall configuration of a three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus of one embodiment according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 (a) is a diagram showing a three-dimensional imaging result of the imaging data.

Fig. 2 (b) is a diagram showing the reflection intensity distribution by the surface reflection wave of the 3D imaging region.

Fig. 2C is a diagram showing an X-Y plane image of the imaging data.

Fig. 3 (a) is a diagram showing a three-dimensional imaging result of a defective portion (abnormal portion).

Fig. 3B is a view showing an X-Y plane image of a defective portion (abnormal portion).

3C is a diagram showing characteristics of the imaging data.

4 (a) is a diagram showing a three-dimensional imaging result of a defective portion (abnormal portion).

Fig. 4B is a view showing an X-Y plane image of a defective portion (abnormal portion).

4C is a diagram showing abnormality determination from a planar image.

Fig. 5 (a) is a diagram showing a three-dimensional imaging result of a defective portion (abnormal portion).

Fig. 5B shows abnormality determination directly from three-dimensional imaging results.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a drive unit used for image combining processing.

7 is a diagram showing a display screen displaying a result of image combining processing.

8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example in the case of improving the image quality by arranging the mask unit.

The three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus of this embodiment includes a signal processing unit for generating three-dimensional imaging data in correspondence with a mesh in a three-dimensional imaging region set inside the inspection object, and a three-dimensional imaging generated by the signal processing unit. The function of changing the brightness or transparency of each mesh according to the value of the 3D imaging data on the mesh in the 3D imaging area, and the value of the 3D imaging data in the 3D coordinate position (X, Y, Z). And a display processing unit having a function of masking an unnecessary part image or correcting image brightness by multiplying by a value set in accordance with the "

The display processing unit projects three-dimensional imaging data from a total of three directions in a direction perpendicular to the two sides orthogonal to the front side as viewed from the ultrasonic transducer, and also in the perspective direction of the three-dimensional imaging data. And a planar image generating unit for generating three planar images in each direction by projecting the largest data among the image data superimposed on the plane.

The three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus further includes an outline drawing unit which draws the outline of the shape of the inspection object so as to overlap the three planar images generated by the planar image generating unit.

The three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus further includes an outline drawing unit for drawing three-dimensional shapes relating to the contour of the inspection object or the post-processing by overlapping the three-dimensional imaging data generated by the signal processing unit in the three-dimensional imaging area.

The three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus compares the value of the three-dimensional imaging data corresponding to the mesh in the three-dimensional imaging region with a preset value and outputs a mesh of the set value or more, and outputs the mesh of the set value or more. An abnormality judging section which automatically calculates the ratio of numbers and makes abnormality determination when the value becomes more than a fixed value is further provided.

The three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus compares the value of the planar image data generated by the planar image generating unit with a preset value, and outputs a mesh having a predetermined value or more, and outputs the three-dimensional coordinates of the output imaged mesh. By comparing the three-dimensional shape information regarding the contour shape and post-processing of the inspection object preset, the abnormality determination part which detects the presence or absence of the interference of the defect position and the post-processing part in an inspection object, and displays the result is provided.

Further, the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus, when selecting an imaging mesh exceeding a preset setting value from the planar image data generated by the planar image generating unit, an abnormal part from an adjacent situation of the selected imaging mesh. And an abnormality determination display section for automatically calculating the area of the laser beam and determining whether the area of the abnormally calculated area has a predetermined value or more, and displaying the result.

In the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus, a value of three-dimensional imaging data corresponding to a mesh in a three-dimensional imaging area is compared with a preset setting value, and a mesh having a predetermined value or more is output, and three of the output meshes are output. By comparing the dimensional coordinates with the three-dimensional shape information about the contour shape and post-processing of the inspection object set in advance, the abnormality determination display part which detects the presence or absence of the interference of the defect position in the inspection object, and displays the result is provided. do.

In the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus, when the abnormality determination display unit outputs a mesh having a set value or more from the three-dimensional image data, the abnormality display unit automatically calculates the area of the abnormal region from the adjacent situation of the outputted imaging data, It is provided with the means which judges whether the area of a site | part has a fixed value or more, and displays the result.

The three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus mechanically drives a transducer and simultaneously combines a mechanism unit for detecting a moving position thereof, and an image coupling unit for coupling a plurality of detected imaging data each time the transducer is moved by the mechanism unit. And a display unit which displays an image combined by this image combining unit.

In this three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus, ultrasonic waves are generated from any of the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators of the ultrasonic transducer. The signal detection circuit generates a plurality of signal detection circuits by receiving reflected echoes from an inspection object composed of layers having a singular or plural different acoustic properties having a plane or curved boundary through an acoustic medium in which piezoelectric vibrators are generated. Selectively detects an electrical signal generated by a piezoelectric vibrator.

Then, the signal processing unit performs aperture synthesis processing from the electrical signal detected by the signal detection circuit, thereby generating three-dimensional imaging data corresponding to the mesh in the three-dimensional imaging region set inside the inspection object, and outputting it to the display processing unit. do.

The display processing unit changes the luminance or transparency of each mesh in accordance with the value of the three-dimensional imaging data generated on the mesh in the three-dimensional imaging region.

In addition, the display processor multiplies the value of the three-dimensional image data by a value set according to the three-dimensional coordinate positions (X, Y, Z) to perform masking or image luminance correction of an unnecessary part image of the three-dimensional image data.

By processing the three-dimensional imaging data or display image synthesized in the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus having an ultrasonic transducer as described above, or by combining a plurality of imaging data obtained by moving the ultrasonic transducer according to the position of the ultrasonic transducer In addition, it is possible to perform imaging in which the defect point of the inspection target can be judged more quantitatively and intuitively. In addition, image quality can be improved by masking and imaging an area other than the inspection range of the inspection object.

The three-dimensional coordinates of the imaging mesh exceeding a set value among the three-dimensional imaging data generated by the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus or the planar image data generated by the planar image generating unit, and the contour shape of the inspection target or the three-dimensional shape information of the post-processing. By comparing with, it is possible to determine whether the defect location interferes with the post-processing portion, and the inspection can be automatically determined by automatically calculating the abnormal area from the presence or absence of the imaging mesh.

In addition, a large area can be imaged by combining a plurality of imaging data obtained by providing a mechanism that can move while detecting the position of the ultrasonic transducer according to the position of the ultrasonic transducer.

Moreover, by providing the mask part which made the inspection range of the inspection object surface into an opening part on the inspection object surface, the fall of the image quality of the internal image by the ultrasonic wave reflected by the uneven part around the inspection range can be prevented.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiment of this invention is described, referring drawings.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus of one embodiment according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a signal generator 1, a drive element selector 2, a matrix sensor 9 as an ultrasonic transducer, a signal detection circuit 4, and an amplifier ( 5a, 5b to 5i), A / D converters 6a, 6b to 6i, and a parallel processor 7 including a signal processor 8, a display processor 10, and the like, which are integrated processors. The acoustic propagation medium 16 is in close contact with the front surface of the matrix sensor 9. The matrix sensor 9 receives the ultrasonic waves U reflected from the defect 14 in the inspection target 17 (ultrasound irradiation target) through the acoustic propagation medium 16 and the coupler 18. . In addition, when the acoustic propagation medium 16 is a liquid, for example, water, the coupler 18 is unnecessary.

The matrix sensor 9 arranges a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators 21a, 22a, 23a-29a, 30a, 30b-30h formed of piezoelectric elements in a matrix shape, and each of the piezoelectric vibrators 21a, etc., It is determined to be driven by the selection of the drive element selector 2 so that the drive signal from the signal generator 1 is guided by the conducting wire. In addition, electrical signals generated by the respective piezoelectric vibrators 21a and the like are guided to the signal detection circuit 4 in the conductive line. When the piezoelectric vibrator 21a or the like is electrically driven, ultrasonic waves are generated from the properties of the piezoelectric body, and the generated ultrasonic waves reach the defect 14 in the inspection object 17 through the acoustic propagation medium 16. The ultrasonic echo U caused by the defect 14 is again input to the piezoelectric vibrator 21a or the like through the acoustic propagation medium 16, whereby each piezoelectric vibrator 21a or the like generates an electrical signal.

The signal generator 1 generates a pulse shape or a continuous drive signal for the piezoelectric vibrator 21a or the like to generate ultrasonic waves. The generated drive signal is input to the drive element selector 2 as the vibrator selector. The drive element selector 2 selects one or a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators 21a or the like to be driven, inputs a drive signal derived from the signal generator 1 to the corresponding piezoelectric vibrator 21a, and the like. Ultrasound U is generated from 21a.

The signal detection circuit 4 is connected to a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators 21a and the like to detect electrical signals generated in the piezoelectric vibrators 21a. Among the detected electrical signals, a plurality of those required for inspection are guided to the amplifiers 5a, 5b to 5i in the signal processing unit 8, respectively.

The signal detection circuit 4 has a singular or plural different acoustic characteristics having a boundary of a plane or a curved surface through an acoustic propagation medium 16 in which ultrasonic waves generated by the piezoelectric vibrator 21a and the like are made of, for example, solid or liquid. By receiving the reflected echoes from the inspection target made of a layer having a plurality of layers, electrical signals generated by the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators 21a and the like are selectively detected.

The amplifier circuits 5a and 5b to 5i amplify the induced electric signals and supply them to the A / D converters 6a and 6b to 6i. The A / D converters 6a and 6b to 6i perform A / D conversion of the induced electric signals and induce them to the parallel processor 7 in the signal processing section 8.

The parallel processor 7 of the signal processing unit 8 processes the digital signals derived from the A / D converters 6a and 6b to 6i to generate the imaging data I for visualizing the state of the inspection object. From the electrical signal detected by the signal detection circuit 4, the three-dimensional imaging data is generated in correspondence with the mesh in the three-dimensional imaging region set inside the inspection object. The imaging data I generated by the parallel processor 7 is output to the display processing apparatus 10 and displayed on the display unit 35 after the visualization display processing is performed.

The display processing apparatus 10 includes a planar image generating unit 31, an abnormality determining unit 32, an outline drawing unit 33, an image combining unit 34, a display unit 35, and the like.

 The planar image generating unit 31 has a total of three directions in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the front (XY plane), two side surfaces (YZ plane) and (ZX plane) orthogonal to the front face, as viewed from an ultrasonic transducer. The three-dimensional imaging data I are projected from the three-dimensional imaging data I, and the three-dimensional imaging data I in each direction is projected on a plane by projecting the largest data among the imaging data superimposed in the perspective direction on the plane. To create a planar image.

The abnormality determination unit 32 determines the threshold value T for determining the value of the three-dimensional imaging data I corresponding to the mesh in the three-dimensional imaging region 40 in advance in memory or the like (see FIG. 3). Outputs a mesh larger than or equal to the threshold T, and automatically calculates a ratio of the number of meshes greater than or equal to the threshold T to the 3D imaging area 40, while automatically calculating If so, an abnormality determination is made.

The outline drawing unit 33 draws the outline of the inspection object shape so as to overlap on the three plane images generated by the planar image generating unit 31.

The image combiner 34 combines the plurality of detected image data each time the relative position of the matrix sensor 9 and the inspection object is changed by the drive unit 73 (see FIG. 6) as the mechanism unit.

The abnormality determination unit 32 further includes a threshold value T for determination set in advance with respect to a plane image formed by the plane generating unit 31 or a combined image generated by the image combining unit 34. Compared to (refer FIG. 3), the mesh which outputs the threshold value T or more is output, the ratio of the number of meshes which output more than the threshold value T is automatically calculated, and an abnormality determination is made when the value becomes more than a fixed value. .

The display unit 35 displays the image data and / or the determination result input from each unit. For example, the display unit 35 inputs the image data and / or the abnormality determination unit 32 input from the image combiner 34. The determined judgment result is displayed. The display part 35 and the abnormality determination part 32 are called an abnormality determination display part.

That is, the display processing apparatus 10 converts the three-dimensional image data I generated by the signal processing unit 8 according to the value of the three-dimensional image data on the mesh in the three-dimensional image region to obtain the luminance of each mesh. Or it has a function to change transparency. In addition, the display processing apparatus 10 multiplies the value of the three-dimensional imaging data I generated by the signal processing unit 8 to a value set according to the three-dimensional coordinate positions X, Y, and Z. Unnecessary portion of the imaging data has a function of masking an image or correcting image brightness.

Referring to Figs. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the processing contents of the display processing apparatus 10 displaying the three-dimensional image data I output from the signal processing section 8 will be described. FIG. 2 (a) is a diagram showing the result of 3D imaging of the inspection object 17, and FIG. 2 (b) is a reflection intensity distribution R due to the surface reflection wave of the 3D imaging area 40 of FIG. 2 (a). ).

As shown in Fig. 2 (a), the three-dimensional imaging data I includes the imaging cells (i) 41 and the imaging cells (i + 1) (three-dimensionally arranged in the 3D imaging region 40). 42, imaging cells (i + 2) 43, imaging cells (i + 3) 44, imaging cells (i + 4) 45,... Imaging data (i) 51, imaging data (i + 1) 52, imaging data (i + 2) 53, and imaging data (i +) representing the reflection intensity of the ultrasonic waves stored in association with 3) 54, imaging data (i + 4) 55; The aggregate of these is shown.

On the other hand, since the ultrasonic wave U is reflected at the surface S (depth Z) = 0 in the inspection object 17, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the ultrasonic wave U is in the 3D imaging area 40. As for the reflection intensity, the reflection intensity distribution R by the surface reflection wave becomes bright in the vicinity of a surface, and an internal image is interrupted | blocked. Therefore, the image data (i) 51, the imaging data (i + 1) 52, the imaging data 1 (i + 2) ( 53), imaging data (i + 3) 54, imaging data (i + 4) 55,... By integrating so as to reduce (transparent) the reflection intensity near the surface position S, the luminance of the image in the vicinity of the surface and the luminance of the deep portion can be made uniform. Reference sign G denotes a gain.

Here, with reference to FIG. 2, after the visualization information is displayed in this three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus, the imaging method of projecting the 3D imaging area 40 in the X, Y, and Z directions will be described.

As shown in Fig. 2 (a), the planar image generating unit 31 includes image data (i) 51, image data (i + 1) 52, and image data arranged in a line in the Z direction. (i + 2) 53, imaging data (i + 3) 54, imaging data (i + 4) 55. Among them, for example, as shown in Fig. 2 (c), the outline drawing unit 33 and the display unit (1) of the planar image XY 60 having the maximum reflection intensity, that is, the imaging data (imax) 57 are selected. Respectively.

In addition, in this example, although the planar image XY60 which is a perspective image from the Z direction was demonstrated, the planar image generation part 31 also viewed from the Z direction also about the transmission image of the X and Y directions. In the same manner as in the case of an image, the one with the maximum reflection intensity is selected and output to the display unit 35.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a process of automatically determining the abnormal part 59 from the input three-dimensional imaging data I in the display processing apparatus 10. In the figure, the imaging data I in the 3D imaging region 40 represents the reflection intensity of the ultrasonic waves.

When the three-dimensional imaging data I is input to the display processing apparatus 10, the planar image generating unit 31 is arranged in a line in the Z direction as shown in Fig. 3A as in the case of Fig. 2. Lined imaging data (i) 51, imaging data (i + 1) 52, imaging data (i + 2) 53, imaging data (i + 3) 54, imaging data (i + 4) (55)... Among them, as shown in Fig. 3B, the outline drawing unit 33 and the abnormality determining unit 32 are selected by selecting the one having the maximum reflection intensity among the planar image XY 60, that is, the imaging data (imax) 57. Are printed respectively). In addition, the planar image generation part 31 also selects and outputs the thing with the largest reflection intensity in the same way as the case of the see-through image from a Z direction also about the transmission image of X and Y directions.

The abnormality determination unit 32 selects the imaging data I having a reflection intensity equal to or higher than the determination value A from the threshold T for determination set in advance in the memory or the like in order to determine the abnormal part 59. (Extraction) output to the display unit 35 and display, and the inspection target 17 by calculating the occupancy rate of the abnormal region 59 in the 3D imaging area 40 from the count result of the number of the selected imaging data. The quality of the product) is judged.

The abnormality determination unit 32 further includes a threshold value T for determination set in advance with respect to a plane image formed by the plane generating unit 31 or a combined image generated by the image combining unit 34. Compared to (see FIG. 3 (c)), a mesh having a threshold value T or more is output, and the ratio of the number of meshes above the threshold value T or more occupies in the 3D imaging area 40 is automatically calculated. The abnormality determination is made when it becomes a fixed value or more. In the figure, code | symbol T represents a threshold value, code | symbol Z represents a depth, and code | symbol A represents a determination value.

The contour drawing unit 33 draws the surface shape 61 of the inspection object 17, that is, the contour, on the planar image X-Y 60 input from the planar image generating unit 31. Thereby, the relative position with the defect image 58 in the inspection object 17 can be judged easily.

With reference to FIG. 4, the abnormality determination automation method by which the abnormality determination part 32 makes an abnormality determination from the planar imaging result produced by the planar image production | generation part 31 of this three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus is demonstrated.

 In the planar image generating unit 31, three-dimensional image data (imax) in the abnormal region 59 in the planar image XY 60, which is a perspective image from the Z direction, as shown in Fig. 4B. 57 denotes the imaging data (i), the imaging data (i + 1), and the imaging data (i + 2) arranged in the Z direction among the 3D imaging regions 40 in FIG. , Imaging data (i + 3)... Since the imaging data i + 3 having the maximum reflection intensity is extracted, the imaging data i + 3 is input to the abnormality determining unit 32, whereby the abnormality determining unit 32 performs the imaging data. The three-dimensional coordinates of (i + 3) are determined. The abnormality determination unit 32 determines the three-dimensional coordinates in the same manner as above for the imaging data other than the abnormal part 59 in the planar image X-Y 60. The same processing is also performed for the transmission image in the X and Y directions.

And the abnormality determination part 32 is the post-processing three-dimensional shape information 101 and outline shape three-dimensional shape information (as shown to FIG. 4C) set in the memory so that it may correspond to the three-dimensional imaging area 40 ( By comparing the three-dimensional coordinates of the abnormal part 59 in the planar image XY 60 with the 102, the interference part 105 that interferes with the post-processing part is determined in three dimensions.

In addition, the abnormality determination part 32 determines at the time of determination from the adjacency situation of the three-dimensional coordinates of all the imaging data of the confirmed abnormal part 59, ie, the imaging data of the abnormal part 59 is post-processed 3 By determining whether or not adjacent to the dimensional shape information 101 or the contour shape three-dimensional shape information 102, the area of the abnormal area is automatically calculated, and whether the area of the abnormally calculated abnormal area has a predetermined value or more. It judges whether it is a defect which cannot be ignored by this determination result.

The abnormality determination unit 32 outputs the determination result to the display unit 35, and the display unit 35 displays the input determination result.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the abnormality determining unit 32 directly shows the Z-direction (X, Y-direction diagram shown in FIG. 4 (b) from the three-dimensional imaging result of the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus. The same) as the maximum reflection intensity and set in the memory so as to correspond to the three-dimensional imaging area 40, the post-processing three-dimensional shape information 101 or the contour-shaped three-dimensional shape information as shown in FIG. By comparing 102 with the three-dimensional coordinates of the abnormal part 59 in the planar image XY 60, the interference part 105 of the post-processing part and the abnormal part 59 is three-dimensionally determined.

Further, at the time of determination, the abnormality determination unit 32 determines the adjacency of the three-dimensional coordinates of all the image data of the determined abnormal site 59 to automatically calculate the area of the abnormal site and to automatically calculate the area. It is determined whether or not the area of the abnormal site has a predetermined value or more, and it is determined whether or not it is a defect that cannot be ignored based on this determination result. The abnormality determination part 32 outputs these determination results to the display part 35, and the display part 35 displays the input determination result.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an image combining process when performing internal imaging of an inspection object 81 that is wider than the detection area of the matrix sensor 9 (which is larger than the matrix sensor 9). As an example, the case where the solid cylindrical inspection object 81 is inspected is demonstrated. The drive unit 73 mechanically drives the inspection target 81 (or may mechanically drive the matrix sensor 9), and has a sensor that detects the movement position. In this case, the drive unit 73 rotationally drives the inspection object 81 (or the matrix sensor 9) in the direction of the arrow.

On the other hand, the image coupling part 34 of the display processing apparatus 10 is a plurality of images detected by the sensor whenever the relative position of the test | inspection object 81 and the matrix sensor 9 is changed by the drive part 73. FIG. Image data is rearranged and combined to output the combined data.

By combining the image data obtained by rotating the inspection object 81 four times, for example, by 90 degrees, in the driving unit 73 in the image combining unit 34, rearranged and outputted to the display unit 35, as shown in FIG. The whole image of the inspection object 71 can be displayed collectively on the display screen 80, and the position of the defect 72 in the inspection object 71 is grasped from the defect image 79 over a plurality of screens. A display screen 80 that is easy to obtain can be obtained. In addition, in the figure, each image (1) 75, image (2) 76, image (3) 77, image (4) 78 has angles of 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees, and 360 degrees. It is displayed corresponding to the figure.

Further, the abnormality determination unit 32 compares the threshold value T with respect to the determination threshold T (see FIG. 3) set in advance in the memory or the like with respect to the combined image generated by the image combining unit 34. It is also possible to output the above meshes, automatically calculate the ratio of the number of meshes above the output threshold T, and perform an abnormality determination when the value becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram when internal imaging is performed by covering the inspection object 91 with the mask portion 94 when inspecting the inspection object 91 having a shape where the inspection range 82 protrudes from the surroundings. . In the figure, the ultrasonic path U1 represents imaging in the absence of the mask portion 94, and is drawn from the drawing image U1 (the transmission piezoelectric vibrator 21a and the transmission piezoelectric vibrator 22a at that time). ) Becomes a spheroid at the curved surface of the distance) is placed inside the inspection object (91).

In this case, the mask portion 94 having an opening corresponding to the inspection range 82 is covered with the inspection object 91 to partially cover the surface of the inspection object 91.

Since the drawing image U2 by the ultrasonic path U2 at the time of covering the surface of the test | inspection object 91 with such a mask part 94 does not spread inside the test object 91, it is the test object 91 Ultrasonic waves are reflected by the influence of the unevenness around the image when the inside of the image is imaged, thereby eliminating the defect that the image quality of the internal image of the inspection object is deteriorated.

Thus, according to the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus of this embodiment, three synthesized from the countless reflection echoes from the inside of the inspection object obtained by ultrasonic transmission and reception by the matrix sensor 9 constituted by piezoelectric vibrators formed in a plurality of shapes independently of the matrix shape. Inspection can be performed quantitatively by directly determining the luminance display corresponding to the value of the dimensional imaging data and the value of the imaging data.

Further, by amplifying the image data value according to the depth of the three-dimensional imaging region, correction of the influence of the surface reflection wave on the inspection object and attenuation correction of the ultrasonic waves in the inspection object can also be performed. Further, by providing a driving unit 73 capable of moving while detecting the position of the matrix sensor 9 and combining a plurality of imaging data according to the position of the matrix sensor 9, a wide area can be imaged.

Further, by providing the mask portion 94 having the inspection range of the inspection surface as an opening to cover the surface of the inspection object, it is possible to prevent the image quality of the internal image due to the ultrasonic waves reflected from the uneven portion around the inspection range from deteriorating. Can be.

Further, by amplifying the value of the imaging data according to the depth of the three-dimensional imaging region, it is possible to correct the influence of the surface reflection wave of the inspection object and the attenuation correction of the ultrasonic waves in the inspection object.

Further, by comparing the value of the three-dimensional imaging data corresponding to the mesh in the planar image area generated by the planar image generating unit 31 with a setting value previously set in the memory, a mesh having a setting value or more is obtained, and the obtained imaging is obtained. By comparing the three-dimensional coordinates of the mesh with the three-dimensional shape information regarding the contour shape and post-processing of the inspection object set in advance in memory, the presence of defects in the inspection object and the interference of the post-processing portion are detected and the result is displayed. Since the abnormality judgment part 32 and the display part 35 were provided, the automatic determination of an inspection is attained.

As a result, it is possible to provide a three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus which improves the accuracy of the internal inspection by the ultrasonic wave, expands the inspection range, and enables automatic determination of the inspection.

In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said Example.

In the above embodiment, although the signal processing unit 8 and the display processing apparatus 10 are provided in the three-dimensional imaging apparatus, the respective computers can be realized.

The computer executes each process in the present embodiment based on the program stored in the storage medium, and may be either a device composed of a personal computer or the like or a system in which a plurality of devices are network-connected. The computer is not limited to a personal computer, but also includes a communication device, an arithmetic processing device included in an information processing device, a microcomputer, and the like, and generically refer to a device and an apparatus capable of realizing the functions of the present invention by a program.

The internal structure of the display processing apparatus 10 in the above embodiment can be realized by software. The software may be stored in a storage medium such as a computer-readable flexible disk, or may be transmitted as a software (program) on a network such as a LAN or the Internet. have. In this case, the computer can read out the software (program) stored in the storage medium, or the computer downloads it from a site (server) on a LAN or the Internet and installs it on a hard disk. In other words, the software (program) in the present invention is not limited to being stored in a storage medium independent of a computer, but also includes those distributed through a transmission medium such as a LAN or the Internet.

In addition, the program is stored in a storage medium such as a memory, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk (CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, etc.), a magneto-optical disk (MO, etc.), and a semiconductor memory in a readable manner. If so, the language format or the memory format may be either.

Further, on the basis of the instructions of the program installed in the computer from the storage medium, 0S (operating system) running on the computer, MW (middle ware) such as database management software, network software or the like for realizing the present embodiment Part of each process may be executed. The storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of a computer, but also includes a storage medium in which a program transmitted by LAN, the Internet, or the like is downloaded and stored or temporarily stored. Note that the storage medium is not limited to one, but the case where the processing in this embodiment is executed from a plurality of media is included in the recording medium of the present invention, and the medium configuration may be any of the configurations.

Industrial Applicability The present invention can be applied to a task of performing an internal inspection of an inspection object by ultrasonic waves.

Claims (19)

An ultrasonic transducer composed of a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators, A vibrator selection unit for generating ultrasonic waves from any of the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators, A signal detection circuit for selectively detecting electrical signals generated by the plurality of piezoelectric vibrators by receiving ultrasonic waves generated by the piezoelectric vibrators selected by the vibrator selection unit from the inspection object through an acoustic medium; A signal processing unit which generates three-dimensional imaging data in correspondence with a mesh in the three-dimensional imaging region set inside the inspection object from the electrical signal detected by the signal detection circuit; A function of changing the luminance or transparency of each mesh according to the value of the three-dimensional imaging data generated by the signal processing unit on the mesh in the three-dimensional imaging region and the three-dimensional imaging data. And a display processing unit having a function of masking unnecessary images of the three-dimensional imaging data or correcting image brightness by multiplying the value by a value set according to three-dimensional coordinate positions (X, Y, Z). 3D ultrasound imaging device. The method of claim 1, The display processing unit, The three-dimensional image data is projected from three directions orthogonal to each other, and the data having the largest value among the image data superimposed in the perspective direction among the three-dimensional image data is projected onto a plane to make three-dimensional images in each direction in the three directions. And a planar image generating unit for generating a planar image of each sheet. The method of claim 2, The mesh of three-dimensional imaging data corresponding to the mesh in the planar image area generated by the planar image generating unit is compared with a preset setting value to obtain a mesh having a predetermined value or more, and the three-dimensional coordinates of the obtained imaging mesh. And the abnormality determination display section which detects the presence or absence of interference between the defect position in the inspection object and the post-processing part and compares the three-dimensional shape information of the contour shape and post-processing of the inspection object set in advance, and displays the result. Three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus characterized in that provided. The method of claim 3, wherein In the planar image generating unit, when selecting an imaging mesh exceeding a preset setting value, the area of the abnormal region is automatically calculated from the adjacent situation of the selected imaging mesh, and the area of the abnormal region calculated automatically is An abnormality determination display section for determining whether or not to have a predetermined value or higher and displaying the result is provided. The method of claim 2, And an outline drawing unit for superimposing the outline of the inspection object shape on the three planar images generated by the planar image generating unit. The method of claim 1, 3D ultrasound image further comprising a contour drawing unit for drawing the three-dimensional shape of the contour or post-processing of the inspection object by superimposing the three-dimensional imaging data generated by the signal processing unit in the three-dimensional imaging area Device. The method of claim 1, Compare the value of the three-dimensional imaging data corresponding to the mesh in the three-dimensional imaging area with a preset setting value, and output a mesh of the set value or more, and automatically calculate the ratio of the number of meshes of the output set value or more, And an abnormality judging section for performing abnormality determination when the value is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The method of claim 1, The value of the three-dimensional imaging data corresponding to the mesh in the three-dimensional imaging area is compared with a preset setting value to output a mesh having a predetermined value or more, the three-dimensional coordinates of the output mesh and the preset inspection target By comparing the three-dimensional shape information of the contour shape and the post-processing of the target, the abnormality determination display unit for detecting the presence of the defect position in the inspection object and the interference of the post-processing part and displaying the result is characterized by three-dimensional Ultrasonic imaging device. The method of claim 8, When the abnormality determination display unit outputs a mesh having a set value or more from three-dimensional image data, automatically calculates the area of the abnormal part from the adjacent situation of the output image data, and whether the area of the abnormal part has a predetermined value or more. And a means for determining whether or not to display the result and displaying the result. The method of claim 1, A mechanism part for mechanically driving the transducer and detecting the movement position thereof; An image combining unit which combines a plurality of detected imaging data each time the transducer is moved by the mechanism unit; And a display unit for displaying the image combined by the image combining unit. The method of claim 1, And a mask portion having an opening corresponding to an inspection range and covering the surface of the inspection object with the opening in accordance with the inspection range of the inspection object. The method of claim 1, The ultrasonic transducer, And a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators arranged in a matrix. The method of claim 1, The ultrasonic transducer, And a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators arranged in a row. The method of claim 1, And the acoustic medium is a solid. The method of claim 1, And the acoustic medium is a liquid. The method of claim 1, And the inspection object has a boundary of a plane. The method of claim 1, And the inspection object has a boundary of a curved surface. The method of claim 1, The inspection object is a three-dimensional ultrasound imaging apparatus, characterized in that consisting of a layer having a single acoustic characteristic. The method of claim 1, The inspection object is a three-dimensional ultrasound imaging apparatus, characterized in that consisting of a layer having a plurality of different acoustic characteristics.

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